JBU Commencement Will Feature Two Ceremonies

Siloam Springs, Ark (February 18, 2003) - John Brown University officials announced Friday that spring commencement will include two ceremonies on Sat., May 10 this year. In order to accommodate the number of graduates and guests, JBU will host a morning commencement ceremony for traditional undergraduates and an afternoon commencement ceremony for Advance Program and Graduate Studies graduates.

The morning ceremony for traditional undergraduates will take place in the Walton Lifetime Health Complex. The afternoon ceremony for Advance Program and Graduate Studies students will take place in the Cathedral of the Ozarks. JBU expects approximately 180 traditional undergraduates and 110 Graduate Studies and Advance Program graduates to participate in the commencement ceremonies.

In addition to the plans for adding the second ceremony, officials also announced the implementation of a new ticketing system for graduates. Under the new system, each traditional undergraduate graduate will receive nine tickets to give to the family and friends they choose to invite to the commencement ceremony. Each Advance Program and Graduate Studies graduate will receive eight tickets. There will be an appeals process for students who need more tickets.

“We want our graduates to be able to share their commencement day with the people who are most important to them. I am confident that we will be able to accommodate students who need more than nine tickets,” said Dr. Ed Ericson, vice president for academic affairs.

Because of overcrowding, fire code concerns and the increasing number of graduates over the past several years, JBU officials believe that the new plan for two commencement ceremonies and a ticketing system is the best way to meet all the campus commencement needs.
John Brown University is a private university with an enrollment of more than 1,700 students from 42 states and 45 countries. JBU is a member of Arkansas’ Independent Colleges and Universities and the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities.